Last week Molly, a blog follower, posted this comment regarding the first Sewing With Nancy program on Designer Handbags. “Every bag I’ve made from this book/CD has fooled people into thinking it was professionally done. The Airborne bag is my favorite, it’s so nice and roomy and can be even made into and used as a diaper bag depending on the cute fabric you choose. Thank you guys for such a great product!”

You’re welcome Molly! (By the way, the bag she’s referring to is the largest bag with the pocket that slips over the suitcase handle.)

My guess is that Molly watched the Designer Handbags series when it first debuted on PBS and online several months ago. This week, the second program of the 2-part series is the Sewing With Nancy online video feature. Just click, then watch!

The brainstorming behind this 2-part series began with a simple question: What if? As Eileen Roche and I worked together on a TV show outline, we pondered…What if we embroidered and stitched the bag strap connectors totally in the hoop?

Those of you with embroidery machines know the wonder of decorative embroidery. Yet, those clever embroidery machines can equally be programmed to straight stitch. So here’s a summary of the “What if” results.

Fascinating Strap Connectors

The bag featured above is made from suede cloth and the straps and strap connector appliqués are Silk Dupioni.

There are three strap connector options in the Designer Handbags collection. Here’s an abbreviated tutorial on how the marquee design is sewn/embroidered totally in the hoop!

Select the embroidery design for the strap connectors from the Designer Handbags CD. Transfer it to your embroidery machine.

Stitch the first thread color directly on the stabilizer.

Align and center the bag front along the guidelines and tape in place.

Stitch the second thread color. (Be patient. The pretty stitching will show up soon!)

Place the strips within the embroidered box. Stitch the third thread color. The stitching secures the straps.

Place the appliqué over the placement guidelines.

Stitch the remaining thread colors.

Repeat all the steps a second time on the bag back!

Remove embroidery from the hoop and tear or cut away the stabilizer.

Finish the bag as per the instructions.

Ta Da!

Last week, I detailed the tab embroidery. Click and read how that part of the bag is done.

I watched both parts of the show Designer Handbags. I have basic sewing skills and just bought a computerized home sewing machine. I would like to make the bags showed. Because you could easily turn them into a western bag. The tab and the corners could be done in a basket weave pattern, put a western snap or sew
a concho on for the snap. There’s a lot of cool western
material on the market or make a southwestern purse.

I tried to make this Purse and the Corners were not both sides of the purse. I had to move things around.

Nancy ZiemanJune 16, 2013

Carol, could you give me a few more details of what happen with your sewing project? I’m not sure that I understand.
Thanks.

Jen in OzJune 14, 2013

Since buying and enjoying your Designer Handbags DVD and book I’ve gone on a bit of a bag-making rampage.
One hint I would like to share is for joining the bag and lining together. I’m not a quilter, and never quite got the knack of using bias binding along the top edge of the bag to look neat. Instead, when I make my lining, I DON’T sew the whole of the bottom seam shut. Sew an inch or two at either end, but leave the rest of the seam open (for now). Sew the top edges of the bag and lining together (right sides together) then turn through the open bottom seam of the lining (it may take a bit of wiggling, depending on how heavy your interlining is, and how big your opening is). Then you can insert the stiffener (if you’re using one – I tend not to just as often, because the Pellon I’m using is stiff enough) into the base of the bag (through the opening), Pull the lining up in the middle of the bag, fold in the opening edges and sew them together.
Hope that’s clear!
Jen in oz

valerie arendellJune 14, 2013

I love making these bags. I decided to make 3 bags as gifts for our grandchildren’s teachers for their last day of school. I used cute school fabric (school buses, Crayola) Each one I made a bit different. Changing out the tab color or airplane pocket color. They came out wonderful and everyone was thrilled.

BUT have you thought about designing the corner protector bits for envelope clutch bags that are flat?

I recently made an envelope style bag out of a fancy placemat and wanted to add some interest by adding a corner element. I could not find anything like what I wanted. I finally made my own and used a 5″ charm square cut in half diagonally. I satin stitched the raw edges then I applied it to my bag (the long edge on the straight edge). When the bag is finished, it looks like a triangle that wraps from front to back. It looks ok, but would look more professional if done using machine embroidery.

I’ve already decided I can use the flaps and such from Designer Bags to cover the magnetic snaps. My idea was to create an evening bag, so it’s not like the bag will hold alot – just the essentials.

Been a fan for awhile – congratz on your 30 years in TV.

Nancy ZiemanJune 14, 2013

Hope,
Thanks for the suggestion! Eileen and I will put on our thinking hats.

Linda CookeJune 13, 2013

I tried to get your app for Sewing with Nancy and because I’m in Canada I couldn’t get the app as it was on the U.S. I pad app site. Is there a way to get it from the Canada site? I have an IPad.

Love Your show

Thanks,

Linda

Nancy ZiemanJune 13, 2013

Linda, We’ll have our technical person look into the app not working in Canada. In the meantime, if you go to http://www.nancyzieman.com you’ll be able to watch all the videos available on the app on your iPad, plus you’ll find so much more about Nancy.